THE top 10 cheapest areas in the UK to power your home have been revealed, according to new research.
Budget-conscious Brits will be delighted to know that data collected can show them the most energy efficient properties in the country.
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Many UK households are facing soaring energy costs, largely due to the fact that their homes are not energy efficient enough.
Experts at Quotezone have now named exactly which areas in England and Wales are best for those who are looking for economical homes.
Energy efficiency is rated on a scale of A to G, with A being the highest grade and G being the lowest.
England and Wales both have a median energy efficiency rating in band D, with scores of 67 and 65, which is generally acceptable but means that there is room for improvement.
Research found that the South East and London are the best places to house-hunt for eco and budget savvy Brits with both having a score of 68.
London’s lack of houses and volume of flats contributes to its energy efficiency rating.
This is because flats and maisonettes the most energy efficient property type, according to research.
North East, South West and East of England have also performed well.
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These regions followed closely behind the top two with only a one-point difference and a score of 67.
The next regions on the list are West Midlands, East Midlands, and North West and at the bottom of the list with the least energy efficient homes are Wales and Yorkshire and The Humber.
In general, areas with more new-builds and flats are more energy-efficient than areas with older homes.
The EPC rating corresponds to the government’s Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) scores, from 1 to 100 – helping homeowners understand the effectiveness of the heating and hot water system, the lighting and even the construction of the building.
It also shows the potential the property has to move up to a higher band and become more energy efficient.
Although band D is the UK average, the government has set a target for all properties to move up to band C by 2035 – creating savings of approximately £300 a household.*
Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk said: “With energy costs on the rise, many homebuyers consider the EPC rating of a property as one of their main priorities.
“Not only does it save money on bills, but it also reduces our carbon footprint.
“When planning a move, the energy efficiency rating is really important, try to get a property as close to an A band as possible, to save yourself money in the long run – these tend to be newer properties.
“However, even if you have an older house there are steps that can be taken to improve its energy efficiency, for example adding insulation and switching to LED bulbs.”
